I have a Mystic helmet, trouble is it's heavy and seems to hold water (750g)
what are peoples preferences on head protection. Don't feel safe without one after a few kite/windsurf incidents over the years. thanks.
NRS Chaos full cut helmet - protects ears with hard shell but doesn't press on them like the simba helmets do. I cut little notches out of the foam so I can fit glasses in there, works great
Forward ProWIP 2.0. Light hardshell helmet with a good amount of adjustment if i wear a wetsuit hood underneath. Would be nice if it had a sun visor on it but my hat fits underneath quite well in summer. Been thinking of switching to a soft surf helmet with ear protection and a visor.
I've bought one of the Tom Carrol DCM soft surf helmets but haven't used it yet. Previous was a Protec helmet but while quite adequate for the job I found it a bit stiff, so I'm looking for a bit more comfort with the DCM.
I have tried Mystic and Bern. I like my Bern H20 the best. I feel it fits better and it's not heavy. The Mystic I always remember is there. The Bern I forget it's on my head.
I vote Gath, having used and sold Gath for over 20 years i cant fault them. The surf convertible is very popular with Kite, wind and wing users as you can run it with ear pieces off.
A lot of other brands are big and clunky!!
Select to expand quotegeared4knots said..
I vote Gath, having used and sold Gath for over 20 years i cant fault them. The surf convertible is very popular with Kite, wind and wing users as you can run it with ear pieces off.
A lot of other brands are big and clunky!!
I do find the Mystic a bit heavy and clunky.
what are the sizes like in Gaths, I've 61cm head. Thanks.
GATH NEO HAT is great. Super comfy, light and no water dripping into eyes.
I use RV in winter with hood. The visor is kind of a novelty but does come in handy when the sun is low.
Gath has lasted 20yrs. Still in use. Comfortable, light and small, so not a bucket in the crashes. I put a neoprene hood underneath in winter. Cant fault it.
Pro-Tec water helmet with removable ear guards. Been wearing it for 10+ years. Comfy but I wish it had a visor. Might velcro one on.
Gath, but i just forgot mine on the beach and it's gone.Duh.
I had the Neo and i think i will go for the EVA this time,forehead felt a bit exposed.Perfect helmet otherwise.
Since the pandemic they have become really hard to find in Europe.There is nothing right now until December :(
I have the Bern Watts H2O, quite happy with it in general. I don't know if it is was here or another forum where some users discussed sore necks from crashing at speed and that going to no helmet helped. Anyways, starting to experience some of that myself as I step down to smaller foils and ride faster. Considering one of the soft rugby style headgear options as a way to keep some protection while reducing weight and load on the neck.
I really like the Forward WIP helmets. Super light and very adjustable. As mentioned already, can put neoprene liner inside to keep you warm. I add a hat with visor too. Nice magnetic clip. I recently bought the compatible goggles which work reasonably well but take a lot of getting use to and I wouldn't recommend them for beginners or when learning new stuff as they are a bit of a pain to keep clean. Seem to work best when weather is hot as they fog up in cold weather too. Had some great sessions with these already. Really awesome when conditions are right and I'm not falling too often. Back the the helmet, it seems to be the preferred choice of many kite foil racers here in Perth. Perhaps for wave riding the helmet is a little too large and smooth. I fell forward on a wave and had mild wiplash. The soft helmets are probably a better option for bigger surf so I recently bought one of those but mainly use the Forward WIP as it's so comfortable.
Gath Eva Hat. Especially if you ride in the waves. Slim around your head. Good forehead protection too. gathsports.com/product/gath-hat-eva/
I have been using an ALK13 H2O helmet. It was inexpensive, it's light and the size I bought using the size guide fits well.
For me there is only one helmet..GATH, lightweight, ear protection, I also use Surfbuds underneath with no issue, too be honest you don't even realize you are wearing it.
